Page 183 - The Bugle 2018

element that 1 PPCLI brought to the table enabled its’ sub-unit to deploy forward along with other elements of the experimental Armoured Cavalry BG. A Coy conducted its own refueling, transpor- tation of all its equipment, as well as maintain its own vehicles all while moving across the trace. The Armoured Cavalry/Strike Brigade concept relied on mission command and intent based orders, due to force dispersion, which was consistently exercised in the expanses of the Suffield training area. A Coy’s participation enhanced interoperability and common understanding with our British allies and helped to hone BG’s Strike warfare skills. An unexpected snowstorm part-way through the exercise only served to increase the bond between the soldiers of the two nations as nothing builds comradeship as does sharing hardship. Overall, the British were able to get the information they needed from us and were thoroughly impressed with the LAV’s capabilities, our mechanized tactics, and our ability to operate in inclement weather.
Shortly after A Coy Group’s return from Suffield, the unit deployed to Wainwright for a gun camp, IBTS training and mandated live-fire validations; the Level 3 Enhanced Mechanized and Level 4 Dismounted, for A Coy, as part of its noncombatant evacuation operations (NEO) sub-unit task – supporting the Third Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry’s (3 PPCLI). During the second phase of Ex IRON RAM, 1 PPCLI deployed 7 Platoon, along with Signals Platoon, maintainers, cooks, and C Coy Headquarters back to Wainwright on 1 November to lead a mechanized enemy force against two combat teams and two dismounted companies, as the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) would support the Combat Training Centre (CTC) as it ran the validations associated with its fall courses (through to 17 November).
Candidates from the Combat Team Commander’s Course, Infantry Dismounted Company Commander’s Course and the Warrant Officer’s Developmental Period 4 Course led their forma- tions against an enemy made up of troops from across the combat arms. C Coy, 1 PPCLI led a self-sufficient enemy force, augmented by Troops from the Lord Strathcona’s Horse, the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, and the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. These attachments worked in unison to provide opposition along four battle lanes that were being fought through simulta- neously over the course of two four-day iterations. Each iteration culminated in a brigade assault on the newly completed Urban Centre at Rocky Ford. The final assaults provided the added complexity of strict barriers and firing templates as 3 PPCLI’s dismounted companies and 2 PPCLI’s mechanized combat teams worked together to clear through the complex urban terrain. Through this experience, 1 CMBG proved it can train in such a dynamic environment, which will certainly prove useful as the brigade enters the Road to High Readiness in 2018.
Overall, 2017 was a busy year for 1 PPCLI, full of unique and challenging training opportunities. It was a year of success thanks to the hard work of the men and women of the unit. With B Coy currently in Latvia, and the remainder of the battalion eagerly preparing for future operations, 1 PPCLI will enter into 2018 intent on upholding the Regiment’s tradition of excellence at home and abroad.
2 PPCLI
Exercise IRON RAM 17
Article courtesy of Lieutenant Michael Loney During Fall 2017, Alpha (A Coy) and Bravo (B Coy) Companies from 2 PPCLI were tasked to support the Combat Team Commander’s Course (CTCC) in Wainwright, Alberta. By combining the Patricia infantry companies with Leopard II tanks of A Squadron, Lord Strathcona’s Horse Royal Canadians (LdSH(RC)), a combat team – the principle manoeuvre element of the Canadian Army – was created. In addition, enablers in the form of a Forward Observation Officer (FOO)/Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) from 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA) and a field troop from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) were added to the mix. When combined we represented a formidable amount of combat power that was ready to take to the Eastern Alberta Prairies.
In order to ensure that all personnel were ready to perform at the start of CTCC, B Coy setup and executed a live-fire mechanized platoon attack range to validate the soldiers and leaders of A Coy and B Coy and A Coy of 1 PPCLI. Combining the mecha- nized platoons with artillery support, ten iterations of platoon attacks went through by day and night. At the conclusion of the range, there was no doubt that 2 PPCLI’s soldiers would effectively support the Army’s next generation of company commanders and sergeants-major.
Basic Reconnaissance Patrolman Course 1703 (BRP 1703)
Article and photos courtesy of BRP 1703 Directing Staff and Captain Megan Couto
This past fall, 2 PPCLI conducted yet another serial of the Basic Reconnaissance Patrolman Course. Scheduled to take place over thirty five training days, 30 prospective patrol members from all three PPCLI battalions underwent training in Shilo, Manitoba and Minaki, Ontario.
During the course, candidates learned about the role of Reconnaissance (Recce) Platoon within an infantry battalion, the theory of reconnaissance and surveillance operations, and considerations for both dismounted and mounted reconnaissance. Classes were taught on armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) and aircraft recognition, current communica- tions equipment, and surveillance target acquisition night observation (STANO) equipment with an intro- duction to photography. The course included three
IT WAS A YEAR OF SUCCESS THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNIT
Sergeant Paul Skrypnyk of Bravo Company participates in the Remembrance Day Ceremony conducted in the field during Exercise IRON RAM
THE RIFLES
ALLIANCES 189